Article ID: 908440 - Last Review: January 9, 2007 - Revision: 1.6

You receive an error code and the copy of Microsoft Windows is not validated when you try to use Windows Genuine Advantage to validate your copy of Windows

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Important This article contains information that shows you how to help lower security settings or how to turn off security features on a computer. You can make these changes to work around a specific problem. Before you make these changes, we recommend that you evaluate the risks that are associated with implementing this workaround in your particular environment. If you implement this workaround, take any appropriate additional steps to help protect your system.

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SYMPTOMS

When you try to use Windows Genuine Advantage to validate the copy of Microsoft Windows that is installed on a computer, Windows Genuine Advantage does not validate the copy of Windows. Additionally, you experience the following symptoms:
  • You receive one of the following error codes in the upper-right corner of the Web page:
    • 0x80040265
    • 0x80040266
    • 0x80040267
    • 0x80040268
    • 0x80040269
    • 0x8004026a
    • 0x8004026b
    • 0x8004026c
    • 0x80080203
    • 0x80080206
  • The Web browser that you are using stops responding (hangs).
  • A time-out error occurs on the Web page.
These symptoms occur if one or more of the following conditions exist:
  • An Internet security suite is installed on the computer.
  • The computer is configured to use a firewall.
  • The computer is configured to use a proxy server.
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WORKAROUND

Warning This workaround may make your computer or your network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We do not recommend this workaround but are providing this information so that you can implement this workaround at your own discretion. Use this workaround at your own risk.

To work around this issue, use one of the following methods.
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Method 1: Configure the Internet security suite, firewall, or proxy server

Important If the computer is part of a corporate network, contact the network administrator to help you to work around this issue.

Make sure that any Internet security suites, firewalls and proxy server configurations enable the following HTTP agents to connect to their servers by using ports 80 and 443:
  • LegitCheck
  • MS Clearing House Default Agent
Additionally, make sure that any Internet security suites, firewalls and proxy server configurations enable the following Microsoft Web sites:
  • mpa.one.microsoft.com
  • www.microsoft.com
  • genuine.microsoft.com
  • go.microsoft.com
  • catalog.microsoft.com
Note For information about how to configure third-party programs or hardware, view the documentation that is included with the product, or contact the product manufacturer.
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Method 2: Disable the Internet security suite or firewall

Important If the computer is part of a corporate network, contact the network administrator to help you to work around this issue.

Temporarily disable the Internet security suite or firewall, and then use Windows Genuine Advantage to validate the copy of Windows. After your copy of Windows has been validated, re-enable the Internet security suite or firewall.

Note For information about how to configure third-party programs or hardware, view the documentation that is included with the product, or contact the product manufacturer.
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MORE INFORMATION

To use Windows Genuine Advantage, use one of the following methods.
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The computer is running Microsoft Windows XP or Microsoft Windows Server 2003

  1. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Windows Explorer.
  2. On the Help menu, click Is this copy of Windows legal.
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The computer is not running Windows XP or Windows Server 2003

To use Windows Genuine Advantage, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/windows/default.aspx (http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/windows/default.aspx)
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APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Windows Genuine Advantage
  • Microsoft Windows Update
  • Microsoft Update
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Keywords: 
kbwininternet kbtshoot kbprb KB908440
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